"But see to it that blood is not shed on your account. Podbipienta is so mild that you could heal a wound with him, but in love affairs it is dangerous to joke with him."
"If he cuts Kharlamp's ears off, I shall be glad."
When she had said this, Anusia whizzed off like a top, and tripped to the other side of the room to Carboni, the physician of the princess, to whom she began to whisper something with animation, and then converse; but the Italian fastened his eyes on the ceiling, as if carried away by ecstasy.
Meanwhile Zagloba approached Volodyovski, and began in merry mood to wink his one sound eye. "Pan Michael," he asked, "what sort of crested lark is that?"
"That is Panna Anusia Borzobogata, lady-in-waiting to the princess. Ah, she is a pretty little rogue,--eyes like plates, a pug as if painted, and a neck--uf!"
"Oh, she'll pass, she'll pass! My congratulations to you!"
"Oh, give us peace! She is betrothed to Podbipienta, or the same as betrothed."
"To Podbipienta! My dear sir, have fear of the Lord's wounds! Why, he has made vows of celibacy. And besides, the disproportion between them! He could carry her at his collar; she might sit on his mustaches, like a fly."
"Ah! she will manage him yet. Hercules was stronger, but a woman trapped him."
"Yes, if she only doesn't give him horns; though I should be the first to help that about, as I am Zagloba."